The GRE General Test is the primary admissions test for most Masters programs and a growing number of MBA programs globally. Getting a strong score requires understanding exactly what the test measures, building the right skills for each section, and practicing under real test conditions.
This guide covers the complete preparation process in four steps. It is written for someone starting their GRE preparation from scratch, but the section-level guidance is equally useful for someone retaking the test and targeting a specific improvement.
If you want a foundational overview of the GRE before getting into preparation, the guide on all about the GRE covers registration, fees, score validity, and how the test compares to the GMAT.
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Talk to a GRE expert who can assess your current level, recommend a target score based on your program list, and build a preparation plan around your timeline.
Step 1: Understand What the GRE Tests
The GRE General Test was updated by ETS in September 2023. The current format is significantly shorter than the previous version: approximately 1 hour 58 minutes, down from nearly 4 hours. The key changes were the removal of one AWA essay (the “Analyze an Argument” task), the removal of the unscored experimental section, and a reduction in the number of questions per section.
| Section | Tasks / Questions | Time | Score scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing (AWA) | 1 task: Analyze an Issue | 30 minutes | 0 to 6 (half-point increments) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 sections, approx. 12 questions each | ~18 minutes per section | 130 to 170 (1-point increments) |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 sections, approx. 15 questions each | ~21 minutes per section | 130 to 170 (1-point increments) |
The GRE is section-adaptive, not question-adaptive. This means the difficulty of your second Verbal section is determined by your performance in the first Verbal section. The same applies to Quant. This is different from the GMAT, which adapts question by question.
What this means for your preparation: Because section-level performance determines your difficulty routing, accuracy in the first section of each type matters significantly. A strong first Verbal section routes you to a harder second section, which gives you access to higher scores. This is not the same as “the first few questions are more important. The entire first section matters equally.
Step 2: Set Your Score Target Before You Start Studying
Most GRE test takers start preparing without a clear target. This is a mistake. Your target score determines which areas to prioritise, how long to prepare, and when you are ready to take the test.
GRE scores for Masters admissions vary significantly by program type and school. Use the tool below to get a baseline target range.
What GRE score do you need?
Select your program type to see typical score expectations at competitive programs.
Quant is weighted heavily. A Quant score below 163 is a concern at competitive programs. Verbal matters less but should not be neglected since strong Verbal scores can differentiate among equally competitive Quant profiles.
Verbal target: 155+
AWA: 4.0+
Business programs look at both sections. A combined score of 320 or above is competitive for mid-tier programs; 325+ is the range for top programs. ISB’s average GRE score for the MBA program is around 327.
Quant: 160+
Verbal: 160+
Verbal is weighted more heavily. A Verbal score of 160 or above is strongly preferred at competitive programs. Quant expectations are lower but a score below 155 can be a concern for quantitatively oriented social science research programs.
Quant target: 155+
AWA: 4.5+
Quant expectations are high across STEM programs. Most competitive programs expect Quant of 160 or above. The specific Verbal expectation varies by research area, but 155+ is a reasonable baseline for most US programs.
Verbal target: 155+
AWA: 4.0+
At the top tier, both sections matter and section percentiles are scrutinised. A combined score below 325 is below the median at most top-10 programs. Aiming for 163+ in your weaker section and 167+ in your stronger section is a reasonable aspiration target.
Neither section below 160
AWA: 4.5+
For a detailed breakdown of GRE score requirements at specific MBA programs, including ISB and top US schools, the guide on GRE scores for MBA programs covers the full picture.
Step 3: Understand Each Section and How to Approach It
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The three sections of the GRE test fundamentally different skills. Select each section below to see what it tests, how much time you have per question, and what the preparation strategy looks like.
Verbal Reasoning
~24 questions total
~1 min 30 sec per question
Score: 130 to 170
The Verbal section tests three question types. Text Completion presents a sentence or short paragraph with one, two, or three blanks and asks you to select the word or phrase that best fits the meaning of the passage. Sentence Equivalence gives you a single blank and asks you to pick two words that both fit and produce sentences with equivalent meaning. Reading Comprehension gives you a passage and asks questions that test both explicit understanding and inference.
Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence are primarily vocabulary-driven at the harder levels. At easier levels, eliminating obviously wrong answers using context is often enough. At harder levels, you need a working knowledge of less common vocabulary to distinguish between plausible options. The GRE does not ask for direct definitions. It tests words in context, which is a different skill from memorising a word list.
The GRE Verbal guide covers all three question types with strategy frameworks and worked examples. For vocabulary specifically, the guide on GRE vocabulary preparation covers how to build word knowledge efficiently rather than through brute-force memorisation.
Build vocabulary through contextual reading (The Economist, The Atlantic, academic writing) alongside a structured word list. For RC, practice identifying the author’s main point and tone before attempting answer choices. For TC and SE, practice elimination: identify what the sentence is trying to convey, then eliminate options that contradict the intended meaning.
Quantitative Reasoning
~30 questions total
~1 min 45 sec per question
Score: 130 to 170
Quant covers four topic areas: Arithmetic (including number properties, fractions, percentages, ratios), Algebra (linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions), Geometry (coordinate geometry, plane geometry, 3D shapes), and Data Analysis (statistics, probability, data interpretation).
The GRE Quant question types include Problem Solving (standard multiple choice), Quantitative Comparison (compare two quantities and determine their relationship), and Numeric Entry (fill in the answer without options). Quantitative Comparison questions are unique to the GRE and require a specific approach.
The GRE Quant overview covers the specific strategies for each question type and the most commonly tested sub-topics. For data interpretation specifically, the GRE data interpretation guide is worth reading separately.
Revise the fundamental formulas for all four topic areas before attempting GRE-level questions. The formulas themselves are not complex. What trips up test takers is applying them quickly and correctly under time pressure with traps built into the answer choices. After establishing the foundations, practice Quantitative Comparison questions extensively since they are the most unfamiliar question type for most test takers.
Analytical Writing
30 minutes
Score: 0 to 6
The AWA section asks you to write a structured essay responding to an issue prompt. The prompt presents a claim or recommendation, and you are asked to discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree, with reasoning and examples to support your position.
AWA scores have less impact on admissions decisions at most programs compared to Verbal and Quant. However, a score below 4.0 can raise concerns about written communication ability, particularly at programs that require extensive research writing. A score of 4.0 to 5.0 is considered solid for most programs. Perfect 6.0 scores are rare and not typically required.
The most effective preparation approach is to develop a consistent essay structure (claim, reasoning, supporting examples, consideration of opposing views, conclusion) and practice applying it to a range of issue prompts. ETS publishes the complete pool of Issue prompts, which means you can practice on real prompts and occasionally encounter the exact prompt on test day.
Do not over-invest in AWA at the expense of Verbal and Quant. Develop one solid essay template, practice it on five to ten prompts from the ETS pool, and focus the majority of your preparation time on the scored sections. For most test takers, AWA preparation should occupy no more than 10 to 15 percent of total study time.
Step 4: Build Your Study Plan
The right preparation timeline depends on your current level, your target score, and how much time you can study each week. Select your available preparation window below.
Want a study plan built specifically for your timeline and target score?
Our GRE online coaching program starts with a diagnostic session to establish your baseline score, identify your specific weak areas, and build a week-by-week plan around your exam date.
GRE Study Materials: What to Use and What to Skip
One of the most common preparation mistakes is accumulating too many resources and then studying from the wrong ones. The principle is simple: official material first, supplementary material only to fill gaps the official content does not cover.
ETS Official Guide and PowerPrep Tests
The ETS Official Guide is the primary source of real GRE questions. The two free PowerPrep practice tests from ETS are the most accurate indicators of your likely test score. Use both. ETS also sells additional full-length practice tests (PowerPrep Plus) if you need more simulation material.
ETS Official Question Banks
ETS offers separate official question banks for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning. These contain real GRE questions and are the closest thing to the actual test. Work through these after establishing your baseline with the Official Guide.
GRE Vocabulary Resources
For Verbal, a structured vocabulary program is necessary if you are targeting Verbal 160 or above. The CrackVerbal GRE Flashcard set, Khan Academy videos for Quant topics, and contextual reading from serious publications (The Economist, Foreign Affairs) are effective supplements to official practice material.
Third-Party Preparation Books
Manhattan Prep and Princeton Review GRE guides are useful for concept explanations and additional practice questions. Use them for the conceptual clarity and strategy frameworks, not as a replacement for official practice questions. Third-party question quality varies and is generally less representative of the real test.
For vocabulary specifically, rote memorisation of word lists is the least efficient approach. The guide on GRE vocabulary mnemonics covers how to build lasting word recall using visual and contextual memory techniques instead.
Practice Tests and Test Day Preparation
The gap between performing well on individual practice questions and performing well on a full test is significant. Test conditions (timed sections, no external help, sustained focus for two hours) affect performance in ways that question-by-question practice does not replicate.
- Take your first full practice test before you start studying seriously. This gives you a real baseline rather than an estimate. Most test takers are surprised by the results in one direction or the other. The baseline determines where to invest your preparation time.
- Take all practice tests under real test conditions. Same time of day as your scheduled test. No pausing. No looking up answers mid-test. The mental stamina component of the GRE is real and only built through simulation.
- Review every wrong answer after each practice test. The goal is to understand the error type: concept gap (you did not know the material), process error (you knew but applied it incorrectly), or time error (you rushed and misread). Each error type has a different fix.
- Take at least three full-length tests before your exam date. Two ETS PowerPrep tests plus at least one PowerPrep Plus test. Track your section-level scores across all tests to confirm that improvement is holding under pressure.
- On the day before the test, do not study. Rest, light activity, and a normal night’s sleep are more valuable than any additional preparation at this stage. Cognitive performance on the test day is directly affected by sleep quality.
If your GRE does not go as planned, ETS offers score cancellation before you see your result. If you cancel and later want to reinstate, that option is available at a fee. ETS’s ScoreSelect feature also lets you choose which test attempt’s scores to send to schools, so one poor performance does not permanently constrain your options.
For a detailed plan on what to do differently if you are retaking, the guide on retaking the GRE covers diagnosis, timeline, and strategy adjustments for a second or third attempt.
“I had 10 weeks before my application deadline and started at a 304 diagnostic. My Quant was fine but my Verbal was 148. We built the plan entirely around Verbal: RC strategy, 10 new words per day through mnemonics, and strict timed practice. I scored 319 on test day. Verbal went from 148 to 156.”
Know your target. Ready to build the plan?
If you are unsure where to begin, the guide on where to start your GRE preparation walks through the first two weeks in detail. For a personalised plan, our GRE coaches can build one around your diagnostic results and application timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About GRE Preparation
Most test takers need 8 to 12 weeks of consistent preparation to reach a competitive score. A 4-week intensive plan is possible for someone with a strong academic background and a modest target improvement. Preparing for less than 4 weeks is generally not enough time to build the vocabulary, test familiarity, and stamina the GRE requires. The right timeline depends on your diagnostic score and your target: a larger gap between the two requires more preparation time.
Consistent daily study is more effective than long irregular sessions. Two to three hours per day across 8 to 10 weeks is the most commonly recommended approach. The GRE Verbal section in particular requires sustained vocabulary building and reading practice that does not benefit from cramming. Quality of review matters more than total hours: every practice session should include careful review of every incorrect answer, not just more questions.
Yes, in several ways. The GRE Verbal section has a stronger vocabulary component than the GMAT. The GRE Quant section has an on-screen calculator available, which the GMAT does not. The GRE is section-adaptive while the GMAT Focus Edition is question-adaptive, which changes pacing strategy. The GRE has an Analytical Writing section that the GMAT Focus Edition does not. If you are deciding between the two tests, your program’s preferences, your relative strengths, and your timeline all factor in.
A “good” GRE score is relative to your target programs. A combined score of 310 to 315 is competitive for many Masters programs. A score of 320 to 325 is competitive for strong programs including ISB MBA. A score of 325 and above puts you in range for top-tier global programs. The most important benchmark is the median GRE of admitted students at your specific target programs, which most schools publish on their admissions pages.
You can take the GRE up to five times in any continuous 12-month period, with at least 21 days between attempts. ETS’s ScoreSelect feature lets you choose which test attempt’s scores to send to programs, so schools only see the scores you designate. Most programs consider your highest total score or your most recent score. Taking the test more than twice is unusual and warrants a clear improvement plan between attempts.
Where to Begin
The four steps in this guide form the complete preparation framework. The order matters. Starting with practice questions before understanding the format and setting a target is the most common way to waste preparation time.
Take the first practice test this week. Set your target score based on your program list. Build your plan around the study timeline that fits your schedule. Review every wrong answer. Simulate test conditions throughout.
Those five things, done consistently, account for the large majority of score improvement in any GRE preparation cycle.
Once you have a preparation plan in place, checking GRE exam dates, fees, and registration details will help you lock in your test date and work backward to confirm your study timeline.
Need a mentor to guide your GRE preparation?
Our GRE coaching program covers all sections, includes regular mentor check-ins, and is built around your specific target score and application deadline.
